A Long Beach police officer was charged last week with three counts of sexual battery of a juvenile due to incidents that allegedly occurred in Pass Christian.
"Patrick Anthony Klis, 44, of Firetower Road, Pass Christian – who is employed by the Long Beach Police Department – was alleged to have had sexual relations with a 15-year-old female juvenile," Harrison County Sheriff Melvin T. Brisolara said in a statement issued Saturday. "He was arrested on April 4."
Brisolara said a confidential source called in the tip on April 3. Harrison County investigators "were able to recover evidence and conduct interviews which led to an arrest warrant being issued for Klis."
"Klis was taken into custody at the Long Beach Police Department and was booked into the Harrison County Adult Detention Facility. The Department of Human Services was called and took custody of the victim," Brisolara said.
"The Harrison County prosecutor, the District Attorney's Office and the Long Beach Police Department assisted in the investigation, which is on-going."
Klis was held on a $300,000 bond set by Circuit Court Judge John Gargiulo, Brisolara said.
The investigating officer was Carolyn Prendergast and arresting officer was Lt. Coley Judy, Brisolara said.